Fluid control techniques for arc process operations
AssigneeThe ESAB Group, Inc.
InventorErik Anthony Leger
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Abstract
A fluid control system for an arc processing system includes a first line configured to direct a first fluid from a first inlet of the fluid control system toward a torch, a second line configured to direct a second fluid from a second inlet of the fluid control system toward the torch, and a share line fluidly coupled to the first line and the second line. The second line includes a one-way valve configured to enable fluid flow away from the second inlet and block fluid flow toward the second inlet. The share line is configured to direct the first fluid from the first line to the second line and against the one-way valve to urge the one-way valve to close and block flow of the second fluid through the one-way valve and away from the second inlet within the fluid control system.
Claims20
A torch system, comprising:
- a fluid control system, comprising:
- a first fluid line configured to direct a first fluid within the fluid control system;
- a second fluid line configured to direct a second fluid within the fluid control system, wherein the second fluid line comprises a one-way valve configured to enable fluid flow through the second fluid line in a first direction and block fluid flow through the second fluid line in a second direction;
- and
- a share fluid line fluidly coupling the first fluid line and the second fluid line to one another downstream of the one-way valve, wherein the share fluid line comprises a share valve configured to control fluid flow through the share fluid line;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the share valve, wherein the controller is configured to:
- open the share valve to direct the first fluid from the first fluid line to the second fluid line and against a downstream side of the one-way valve to establish a cracking pressure of the one-way valve;
- and
- open a supply valve to direct the second fluid to the one-way valve to pressurize the second fluid toward the cracking pressure.
A method, comprising:
- opening a first supply valve to direct a first fluid through a first fluid line of a plasma torch system;
- opening a share valve fluidly coupling the first fluid line and a second fluid line of the plasma torch system to direct the first fluid to the second fluid line and against a downstream side of a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve is configured to enable fluid flow through the second fluid line in a first direction and block fluid flow through the second fluid line in a second direction such that directing the first fluid against the one-way valve establishes a cracking pressure to block fluid flow through the second fluid line;
- and
- opening a second supply valve to direct a second fluid to the one-way valve to pressurize the second fluid toward the cracking pressure.
A fluid control system for an arc processing system, the fluid control system comprising:
- a first fluid line configured to direct a first fluid toward a torch of the arc processing system;
- a second fluid line configured to direct a second fluid toward the torch, wherein the second fluid line comprises a one-way valve configured to enable fluid flow through the second fluid line toward the torch and block fluid flow through the second fluid line away from the torch;
- and
- a share fluid line fluidly coupled to the first fluid line and the second fluid line downstream of the one-way valve, wherein the share fluid line is configured to direct the first fluid from the first fluid line to the second fluid line and against a downstream side of the one-way valve to establish a cracking pressure of the one-way valve to enable the second fluid to pressurize in the second fluid line toward the cracking pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.